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SACRAMENTO—The Assembly Committee on Insurance passed legislation today that would create the Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) Program in California and allow some unemployed workers to focus on creating a microbusiness while claiming jobless benefits.
The bill, AB 152, authored by Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis), passed from the committee on a 9-2 vote.
Yamada noted that, despite signs of economic recovery, many Californians are still unemployed and the state needs to consider options like SEA.
“The Self Employment Assistance Program recognizes the rapidly evolving labor market in a time of continued high unemployment,” Yamada said. “SEA provides another pathway to reemployment by promoting entrepreneurship and microenterprise development.”
The SEA program would focus on a subset of unemployed workers identified as likely to exhaust their unemployment benefits without becoming reemployed. The Congressional Research Service reported recently that SEA participants in other states were more likely to become self-employed or gain other employment.
“A SEA program turns unemployed workers into employers,” says Claudia Viek, C.E.O. of the California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity. “Often these folks are over fifty; their job has gone away; and they can best support their family by starting a business.”
Passage of AB 152 would also permit California to apply for $5.3 million in federal funding.
The bill is now headed to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations for consideration later this spring.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Effective March 18, Deanna Benzenberg will join Shannon Ridge Family of Wines as the southwest territory manager.
She will be responsible for Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.
“We are thrilled that Deanna will be joining the Shannon Ridge family,” said Chris Baker, senior vice president, sales and marketing for Shannon Ridge Family of Wines. “Deanna has extensive understanding of the fine wine industry, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.”
“After nearly 15 years in the wine industry, I couldn’t be more thrilled to join the Shannon Ridge Winery family,” said Benzenberg. “The Shannons have a great vision for the quality of wines, the appellation of Lake County, and sustainable practices in the vineyards. It will be exciting for me to represent them in three dynamic markets that have all been home for me at one point or another. I look forward to going back to my roots of wine estate building, and collaborating with a dynamic team in Shannon Ridge Winery and our distributor partners.”
Prior to joining Shannon Ridge, Benzenberg was the Colorado sales manager at Treasury Wine Estates (Fosters Wine Estates), managing several district managers and more than 25 winery brands.
She also worked as district sales manager, Arizona and New Mexico, for Icon Estates (Constellation), where she managed 13 premier wineries from around the world.
Benzenberg will be based out of Denver, Colo.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Workforce Lake Business and Career Center will host a job fair on Wednesday, March 20, and another on Wednesday, April 3.
The March 20 event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport.
Prospective applicants are advised to bring their resumes and come dressed for success.
Participating businesses and organizations will include Alpine Café, AmeriCorps, Bicostal Media, California Conservation Corps, California Indian Manpower Consortium, California Mentor Network, Dominican University Ukiah Center, Hillside Honda, Juice Plus Virtual Franchise, Konocti Vista Casino, Kelseyville Lumber, Lake Transit, Management Connections, Mendo-Mill, Multimedia.com, People Services, Robinson Rancheria, Running Creek Casino, Ruzika Associates, Sequoia Senior Solutions, Thrive Lake County, United States Marine Corps and Yuba College.
A job fair with the same format also is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, at the Clearlake Community School, located at 6945 Old Highway 53 in Clearlake.
For more information about the job fairs or other services for job seekers, call Workforce Lake at 707-263-0630, visit their offices at 55 First St. in Lakeport or go to the organization’s Web site at www.workforcelake.org .
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Savings Bank welcomes Lake County businessman, David Weiss, to their Board of Directors.
A fourth generation farmer, Weiss was born and raised in Yolo County on his family’s row and field crop farm.
He attended Stanford University and received a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering.
Following college and an 11 year career in engineering management and project finance, Weiss moved to Lake County in 1993 to run the farming and ranching operations of a European investment group. Weiss formed Bella Vista Farming Co. LLC in 2000.
Bella Vista develops and manages agricultural property in Lake County consisting of about 800 acres of winegrapes and 475 acres of pear orchards.
With client properties ranging in size from less than three acres to more than 400 acres, Bella Vista has successfully developed and managed projects for clients with very diverse intentions, aspirations and budgets.
In addition to providing vineyard and orchard management services, Bella Vista managed the construction of a small winery for one of its more ambitious clients, and helped with brand building activities on high-end wine programs for three others.
Bella Vista’s ability to be flexible and responsive to the unique needs of each client is a result of the commitment, professionalism, and common pursuit of excellence that epitomizes the individuals comprising the Bella Vista management team.
“David will provide valuable Lake County representation on the Savings Bank Board,” said Charles Mannon, chairman of the Board of Savings Bank. “His expertise in management and development of agricultural property will provide the bank with guidance in assessing agricultural markets and agricultural loans.”
Weiss has been active in many industry organizations including the Lake County Winegrape Commission, the California Pear Advisory Board, the Lake County Farm Bureau, and the California Association of Winegrape Growers. He is married and has three grown children.
“It is clear to me that the Savings Bank Board of Directors and management have been remarkably successful in building a great team,” said Weiss. “I look forward to working with them in the coming years.”
For 110 years Savings Bank has been a strong financial institution, providing Mendocino and Lake counties the dependability of a local community bank.